The 100th anniversary of the Titanic is being marked in NYC with several exhibits, events and even an auction of Titanic memorabilia, which sank on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic, enroute to New York City.
Here’s a short list, including special family-friendly programs —
South Street Seaport Museum —
“Titanic” exhibition includes historic objects such an original deck plan showing the ship’s first class accommodations, examples of how the tragedy has been interpreted in pop culture, including by Hollywood, with production items from the 1953 Titanic film starring Barbara Stanwyck.
New York Historical Society —
Barry Denenberg, author of Titanic Sinks!, reads excerpts excerpts and discusses his book — and the issues it raises, including questions about arrogance and corporate greed, lifeboats leaving half empty, iceberg warning signs and why so many third-class passengers perished. This is a special program designed for families with children eight and older, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 15th.
It’s free with museum admission ($5.00 children, $10.00 students, $12.00 seniors, $15.00 adults). There’s also an interactive exhibit featuring items related to the Titanic, including a bronze medal presented to Arthur Rostron, captain of the Carpathia, for his heroic rescue of Titanic survivors, and a portrait of Isidor Straus, owner of H.R. Macy & Co., and his wife, Ida, who could have entered a lifeboat but did not want to be separated from her husband, and in turn, perished with him.
New York Public Library —
All Hands on Deck: Remembering the Titanic is a FREE exhibit of Titanic memorabilia, at the NYPL Performing Arts branch in Lincoln Center. Items on display include sheet music of songs performed on the ship and written in its honor, plus photos from from the films “Titanic” (1953) and “A Night to Remember” (1958). The exhibit is on display in the 3rd floor reading room through Labor Day.
Mystic Aquarium —
The interactive exhibit Titanic — 12,450 Feet Below at Mystic Aquarium transports visitors to the Titanic with the help of installations that include a glowing iceberg, sounds of Morse code distress signals and a gallery dedicated to the stories of the ship’s passengers. In Mystic, Conn.
photo courtesy Bonhams
Bonham’s Auction House —
Even if you don’t bid on anything, you can visit the historic items online, and watch the April 15th auction via streaming video, from New York City. The auction begins at 1 p.m. Items being auctioned include an original launch ticket, a first class dinner menu, a bronze ship’s bell used to sound the first alarm and a hand-written account of the rescue by Carpathia Captain Arthur Rostron, and props from both the 1953 Titanic film and James Cameron’s more recent blockbuster.
Woodlawn and Green-Wood Cemeteries —
A walking tour 100 Years Later: Little Known and New Facts about RMS Titanic at Woodlawn Cemetery and another tour by trolly RMS Titanic and Green-Wood: 100 Years Later Trolley Tour take visitors to gravesites where Titanic passengers and survivors now rest. Woodlawn is the final resting place of 12 victims and passengers, including Isidor Straus, the owner of Macy’s, and Henry Sleeper Harper, and the former director of Harper & Brothers Publishing House. The tours are on Sunday, April 29th.
The Green-Wood Cemetery trolley tour is hosted by Titanic scholar Dr. J. Joseph Edgette.
Woodlawn Cemetery is in the Bronx; Green-Wood is in Brooklyn.
Read about Titanic anniversary events and exhibits around the world on ecoXplorer, my other website.
The Titanic was headed toward the Cunard-White Star piers on the Hudson River, which now is home to the Chelsea Piers sports complex.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.